Wireless Network Setup 3

[netadmin06]

Hello,

I have a network of approx 50 computers, there are network jacks throughout the building where people connect their computers to have access to servers and Internet.

All of those jacks are connected to 2 48 port Gigabyt Switches. I want to give laptop users wireless network connectivity. So I was thinking to purchase a Cisco Access Point and connect it to one port on one of the switches so that Laptop users can have wireless connectivity. Is this a good solution? I will have about 20 wireless laptops connecting to the access point which will be obviously connected to only 1 port on the switch. Won't this make that port on the switch "work too hard"?? will it be overkill?...I am afraid that having all those wireless laptops connect to that access point which will be using one port in the switch will cause problems.

Thanks so much for the expert advice

 

[Zen216]

Depending on your site floor plan, you may need more than one access point just for coverage,,, (if a user wanders too far from the AP then he may lose connection)
I've never setup a wireless lan to support that many users, so I do not know the limitations of the AP,, (as far as being connected to one switch port, I don't think that would be much of an issue,,, I have seen 24 port hubs,, so all would be on same collision domain..)
Aslo, just remember that the wireless connection will not be as fast as your wired GB connections,,
If you go with multiple AP's, then you may want to look into a ISA server and enable fast PEAP so users would not have to re-authenticate when moving from ap to ap..

 

[Crowtalks]

Remember that the wireless clients are sharing a 54mg link, non encrypted per wireless point. Encrypted connections usually slow it down some more.

Even if you could get coverage with one access point you would want multiple points just for this issue alone.

NCSS NCTS NCTE

 

[Crowtalks]

Also understand that access points act kind of as a wireless extended NIC card for the laptops.

You will want to decide to use DHCP or whether to statically assign the addresses to the laptops for access restrictions, depending on your network infrastructure.

NCSS NCTS NCTE

 

[netadmin06]

Thanks for the great advice gentlemen. If I get 2 Access Points how far should they be from each other? Is it bad if they are too close to each other? should they be on the same channel?

 

[wahnula]

I run (2) D-Link WAP-2100's in my office. I've never had much luck with them (or their tech support) in getting the two WAPS to work in bridged mode, so I just connected them to different switches using the supplied crossover cable and gave them the same SSID and the PCs pick up the strongest one.

Place your WAPs high and avoid paths through metal or metal-lath walls. I do not foresee a traffic problem.

Tony

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